1. Introduction:
1.1. Acceleration of production and expansion of trade result in growth of national wealth. Increased production in export sectors may become the prime mover in the development cycle in a densely populate of Bangladesh like our as this will generate employment opportunities which in turn will generate savings and investment on consequent flow of capital. The prime national objective of poverty alleviation will thus be materialized. As a first step towards reaching this goal we need to look at the country's production infrastructure.

1.2. Our export trade is featured by the dominance of a few commodities in a narrow market. Such dependence on at limited number of export items targeted a limited market is not desirable for economic development. We must, therefore, aim both at product and market diversification or else our export trade will become stagnant in the near future.

1.3. Our export trade must keep pace with the projected GDP growth @ 7% and make due contribution through increased export earning. In this exercise it is imperative to identify new thrust sectors, increased export of higher value added items, diversify product wise , ensure products quality, improve packaging, attain efficient productivity. We should aim at marketing quality products at competitive price at the correct time.

1.4.. The Export Policy 1997-2002 has been designed to operate in the imperatives and opportunities of the market economy with a view to maximizing export growth and narrowing down the gap between import payment and export earning.

2. Objectives:

The principal objectives of this policy are :

2.1. To achieve optimum national growth through increase of export in regional and international market;

2.2.. To narrow down the gap between the country's export earning and import payment through achievement of the export targets ;

2.3.. To undertake timely steps for production of exportable goods at a competitive price with a view to exporting and strengthening existing export markets and making dent in new markets;

2.4.. To take the highest advantage of entering into the post Uruguay liberalized and globalized international market;

2.5. To make our exportable items more attractive to the market through product diversification and quality improvement;

2.6.. To establish backward linkage industries and services with a view to using more indigenous raw materials, expand the product base and identify and export higher value added products ;

2.7. To simplify export procedures and to rationalize and solidify export incentives;

2.8. To develop and expand infrastructure ;

2.9. To develop trained human resources in the export sector;

2.10. To raise the quality and grading of export products to internationally recognized levels.


3. Strategies:

The following strategies shall be undertaken to attain the objectives of the export policy 1997 - 2001 :

3.1.. Simplifying export procedures, and helping the private sector achieve efficiency. The Govt.. desires more and more involvement of the private sector while the govt. will continue to play its facilitating role;

3.2.. Enhancing technological strength and productivity and facilitating reduce cost and attain internationally accepted standard of quality of exportable products and thereby consolidate their competitiveness ;

3.3.. Ensuring maximum use of local raw materials in the production of export goods and encouraging establishment of backward linkage industries;

3.4. Participation in the international trade fairs, specialized fairs, single country exhibitions abroad and also sending out trade missions, with a view to consolidating our position in the existing market and creating new markets;

3.5. Encouraging export of new category high value added readymade garments and also encouraging the concerned trade associations for establishment of a Fashion Institute ;

3.6. For promotion of high value added leather and leather goods export: providing various facilities including bonded warehouse facilities for import of materials such as raw hides, pickled, wet blue, crushed and finished leather, components and chemicals etc. to 100% export oriented leather industries;

3.7. For promotion of export of shrimp: Extension and modernization of traditional/semi-intensive method of shrimp cultivation and ensuring quality as per buyers requirements ;

3.8. For promotion of export of jute and jute goods: Undertaking extensive publicity of jute and jute goods as environment-friendly natural fiber and diversification of the uses of jute products;

3.9. For promotion of export of tea undertaking programmes for establishing brand name and developing linkage with established blending and distributing agents;

3.10. For promotion of export of agro based products: undertaking programmes for raising quality standard and expansion of market;

3.11. For the promotion of export of electrical and electronic goods ( including computer software and data entry) : Building and ensuring conducive infrastructure;

3.12. For the promotion of export of engineering consultancy and other services and sub-contracting involving, in a bigger way, Bangladesh missions abroad obtaining contracts;

3.13. Organizing regularly international trade fairs and product-specific fairs with the country;

3.14. Making appropriate development and expansion of infrastructure conducive to export;

3.15. Making arrangements for necessary technical and practical training for development of skilled manpower in the export sector;

3.16. Ensuring maximum utilization of financial and other assistance extended by the World Trade Organization to the Least Developed Countries;

3.17. Ensuring maintenance of ecological balance and pollution-free environment in the production of exportable goods;

3.18. Extending technical and marketing assistance for development of new products and for finding appropriate marketing strategies;

3.19. Taking necessary steps to assist procurement of raw materials by the export oriented industries at world price ;

4. Scope and General Provisions :

4.1. This policy shall apply to the customs areas (excluding Export Processing Zones) of Bangladesh.

4.2. This policy shall take effect from 01.07.1998 and remain in force till 30.06.2002. However, the policy shall be considered valid until the next Export Policy is announced.

4.3. If any provision of this policy is found inconsistent with any provisions of the Imports and Exports ( Control ) Act, 1950, or of the Import Policy Order, the Ministry of Commerce shall be entitled to amend, alter or modify such provision.

4.4. The Ministry of Commerce may, as and when necessary, amend, alter or modify any provision of the Export Policy including the export negative/restricted items.

4.5. Different aspects of the Export Policy shall be reviewed annually.

5. Target
For the policy period Export targets have been set at US dollar 5020 million for the fiscal year (F.Y.) 1997-98, US dollar 5,630 million for the F.Y.1998-99, US dollar 6,340 million for the F.Y. 1999-2000, US dollar 7,175 million for the F.Y. 2000-2001 and US dollar 8,100 million for the F.Y. 2001-2002. Details of the export targets have been shown at annexure 'A'.

 

6. Export Promotion Councils/Committees

6.1. A National committee on export has been formed. The highest level committee on export promotion, is headed by the Honorable Prime Minister and consists of the Honorable Ministers for Foreign Affairs, Finance, Commerce and Industries, Planning, Jute and Textile as well as senior government officials and representatives of important trade associations. The committee reviews the export situation, provides necessary directions and readily resolves problems.

6.2. For immediate attention and action on export related problem a task force has been formed under the chairmanship of the Honorable Minister for Commerce.

6.3. With a view to exchanging ideas with Chambers of Commerce and Industries, Exporters' Associations and private sector organizations in formulating export policy and strategies, and up lamenting policy decisions an export council has been formed.

6.4. A task force shall also be formed to recommend practical measures for export increase and monitoring the implementation of incentives and facilities of thrust sector and crash programme items.

6.5. Commodity Councils:
Commodity Councils shall be formed for jute, tea, shrimp, readymade garments and leather & leather products.

7. Thrust Sector:

7.1. Leather and leather goods industries, high and high value added readymade garments, computer software and agro-processing sectors have been identified as thrust' sectors in this export policy. Although the leather and leather goods sector has enormous export potential the sector has not been able, till date, to achieve desired results. On the other hand, the readymade garments sector is expected to stage a breakthrough in the export of high-priced, high value added garments of newer categories after having survived successfully the initial phase of exporting low-end garments. Like wise computer software and agro-processing sectors could not record the desired level of export through the sectors offer bright prospects for earning foreign exchange. These -four sectors have been declared, 'Thrust Sectors', in this policy to ensure priority with the following lines of actions :

7.2. Leather & Leather Goods :
7.2.1. Leather manufacturing units shall be modernized in order to enable them to produce increased quality of finished leather out of raw hides.
7.2.2. With a view to reducing cost of production, steps shall